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Explore the Enigmatic Beauty of Kon Tum – Where Nature and Culture Intertwine
Unveiling the Secrets of Kon Tum – A Cultural Odyssey
Embark on a Cultural Expedition: Kon Tum Unraveled
Thời gian lý tưởng để du lịch Kon Tum
Kon Tum mang khí hậu đặc trưng của vùng cao với không gian luôn mát mẻ quanh năm. Khí hậu Kon Tum chia thành 2 mùa rõ rệt là mùa mưa và mùa khô. Trong đó, mùa mưa thường bắt đầu từ tháng 4 đến tháng 11, mùa khô từ tháng 12 đến tháng 3 năm sau. Mỗi mùa, Kon Tum lại thu hút du khách bằng vẻ đẹp riêng: tháng 1 là mùa cao su thay lá; tháng 3 thì bắt đầu vào mùa cà phê nở trắng trời; tháng 11, 12 là mùa của dã quỳ vàng rực phủ khắp núi đồi, là mùa của những lễ hội truyền thống của các dân tộc.
Transportation options to Kon Tum
By Air: If you're looking to reach Kon Tum by air, you'll need to fly to Pleiku Airport, which is about 50km from Kon Tum. There's one daily flight to Pleiku Airport. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to Kon Tum.
By Road:
The Hanoi – Kon Tum route spans approximately 1080 km. On average, there are about 3 bus trips per day on this route starting from 7:00 to 8:00 operated by 3 bus companies: Viet Tan, Dang Khoa, Hong Anh. The travel time is about 25 hours. Ticket prices range from 550-600,000 VND.
The Ho Chi Minh City – Kon Tum route is approximately 576 km long. On average, there are about 7 bus trips per day on this route starting from 17:00 to 6:30 operated by various bus companies such as Minh Quoc, Viet Tan, Thuan Phat, Long Van, Tay Nguyen, Tu Phau, Viet Tan Phat, Dong Tien, Truong Giang, Nhat Tan… The travel time is about 12 hours. Ticket prices range from 230-250,000 VND.
The Da Nang – Kon Tum route is approximately 350 km long. On average, there are about 2 bus trips per day on this route starting from 20:00 to 7:30 operated by 2 bus companies: Minh Quoc, Viet Tan. The travel time is about 8 hours. Ticket prices range from 180-200,000 VND.
Hotel Accommodation
For convenient sightseeing, it's advisable to book rooms along main streets such as Phan Dinh Phung, Truong Chinh, Duy Tan, Tran Phu… A comfortable room typically costs between 200,000 to 300,000 VND. Alternatively, when visiting Kon Tum, you can opt for homestays in cultural villages like Kon K'lor or Kon K'Tu. If you're traveling in a group, contacting the village for accommodation arrangements can be a delightful experience.
Attractions
Mang Den
Dubbed as the second Da Lat of Kon Tum, Mang Den is a town in Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province, known for its pristine forests, numerous lakes, and waterfalls. The climate here is cool and refreshing, perfect for escaping the summer heat. Situated at an altitude of 1,100 – 1,400 meters above sea level, amidst dense pine forests and wildflowers, Mang Den enjoys a consistently cool climate. Exploring Mang Den means traversing winding roads lined with lush green pine trees, with the faint scent of pine resin in the air. The melodious chirping of birds fills the air, while the refreshing climate exudes the raw, majestic charm of the mountains and forests.
Dong Duong Junction
Legend has it that the Dong Duong crossroads is the meeting point of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Travelers will embark on a challenging journey through winding roads to reach this legendary intersection, where stories of a crowing rooster echo across all three nations.
Stepping into the border region, one touches a granite milestone, 2 meters tall and weighing nearly 900kg, placed at an altitude of 1,086 meters. It is one of two border markers honoring Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. This triangular marker faces the territory of each respective nation, adorned with their solemn national emblems.
Kon Tum Cathedral
Kon Tum Cathedral, also known as the Wooden Cathedral, was built in 1913 by French priests. Today, it serves as the main cathedral and houses the seat of the bishopric of Kon Tum diocese. The cathedral features Roman architecture combined with the stilt house style of the Ba Na people, blending European style with the culture of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Notably, the entire structure is made of ironwood, without the use of concrete, steel reinforcement, or lime plaster for painting. The columns and beams are intricately carved, showcasing the natural yet majestic atmosphere of the local people.
Kon Klor Suspension Bridge
Among the famous attractions in Kon Tum, the Kon Klor Suspension Bridge is a must-visit. This bridge spans the legendary Đắk Bla River, connecting two banks. From atop this bridge, one can gaze upon the surrounding countryside, including fields of rice, corn, and sugarcane, with the river flowing steadily below. Visitors will feel a sense of tranquility wash over their souls as they take in the picturesque scenery.
Come here, you can visit the Ba Na - Kon Klor ethnic village, share a drink of traditional rice wine with them and then cross the river on a bamboo bridge to reach a land of fertile alluvial soil. There lie banana gardens, coffee orchards, and various fruit trees. After a winding 6km journey, you'll arrive at Kon K’tu village, a Ba Na ethnic village that still preserves its traditional way of life and pristine natural scenery.
Chư Mom Ray National Park
Chư Mom Ray National Park is situated in the northern part of the Central Highlands and west of Kon Tum province, spanning the districts of Sa Thầy and Ngọc Hồi. It boasts the highest biodiversity among national parks today, with nearly 1,500 plant species, including 131 identified as rare and endangered such as orchids, cycads, etc.
Đắk Bla River
The Đắk Bla River holds great significance in the hearts of Kon Tum locals, as without it, there would be no Kon Tum, both historically and geographically. Upon arriving in the mountain town of Kon Tum, you'll be captivated by the sight of the Đắk Bla River meandering gracefully like a soft silk ribbon, embracing the quaint little city of Kon Tum. It's truly impressive to witness the vast expanse of the Đắk Bla River, with rustic wooden boats floating serenely like leaves drifting on the water.
Kon Tum Bishop's Residence
The Bishop's Palace, constructed in 1935, seamlessly blends the traditional architecture of the indigenous people with Western architectural styles. Except for the concrete and steel pillars, the entire structure is made of high-quality wood, ensuring exceptional durability. Notably, it houses a traditional dwelling considered a small museum showcasing the daily life items, agricultural tools, and cultural artifacts of the indigenous communities in the area.
Kon K’lor Communal House
The Kon K’lor Communal House stands as a symbol of unity and community strength among the locals. Standing at 22 meters tall, over 6 meters wide, and more than 17 meters long, this traditional structure made of wood, bamboo, palm leaves, and intricate decorative motifs is an intriguing destination for tourists.
Mount Ngoc Linh is part of the Southern Truong Son Mountain Range. With an elevation of 2,600 meters, it's an ideal spot for mountain climbing enthusiasts and adventurous explorers. Notably, within the Ngoc Linh range, there's the famous Vietnamese ginseng known as Ngoc Linh ginseng, primarily found in the mountainous districts of Kon Tum and Quang Nam at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,100 meters.
Pa Sy Waterfall
The eco-tourism destination of Pa Sy Waterfall is situated within Kon Tu Rang village of the Rơ Mâm people, in Măng Cành commune, Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province, approximately 6 kilometers northwest of the Kon Plong district center. Pa Sy Waterfall eco-tourism area boasts pristine forests and a network of waterfalls and lakes. The climate here is cool and refreshing all year round.
Located in the heart of the tourist area, Pa Sy waterfall sits at an altitude of about 1,500m above sea level. Formed by the convergence of the three largest streams in Mang Den, it is called Pau Suh in the language of the Rơ Mâm ethnic group, meaning three sources of streams merging into one. Later, the name was misread as Pa Sy.
Tasty Delicacies of Kon Tum
Kon Tum Leaf Salad
This unique dish consists of over 40 types of forest leaves, thinly sliced boiled pork, shrimp, and a dipping sauce made from fermented glutinous rice, dried onions, lemongrass, and chili. The 'right way' to eat this dish is to place cabbage or peach leaves on the outside, add sour leaves and other preferred leaves inside, then roll it into small funnels, and add meat and shrimp inside.
Bamboo Shoot Sticky Rice
Simply sticky rice cooked with familiar glutinous rice, cleverly combined with bamboo shoots, has become a familiar breakfast dish for every resident of Kon Tum. The method of making bamboo shoot sticky rice is quite simple and not too complicated. Fresh bamboo shoots, after being harvested from the forest, are peeled, cleaned, and cut into bite-sized pieces. After the preliminary processing to remove bitterness, the shoots are stir-fried with spices to become flavorful. Good quality glutinous rice is soaked in diluted saltwater with added turmeric powder to give it color for about 8 hours before being cooked.
Bitter Melon Delight
Bitter melon delight is a traditional dish of the Kon Tum ethnic minority. Thinly sliced bitter melon is skewered and grilled until it turns a deep brown, emitting a fragrant aroma. It remains slightly bitter, slightly chewy, and tender, perfect when paired with wild pepper salt or grilled forest meats. Additionally, bitter melon can be cooked in various braised dishes with shrimp or river prawns, or made into a delicious stew with eel or frog, each dish exuding an enticing aroma.
Bitter Melon Delight
Bitter melon delight is a traditional dish of the Kon Tum ethnic minority. Thinly sliced bitter melon is skewered and grilled until it turns a deep brown, emitting a fragrant aroma. It remains slightly bitter, slightly chewy, and tender, perfect when paired with wild pepper salt or grilled forest meats. Additionally, bitter melon can be cooked in various braised dishes with shrimp or river prawns, or made into a delicious stew with eel or frog, each dish exuding an enticing aroma.
Golden Ant Fish Salad
When in Sa Thầy district, Kon Tum, home to the Rơ Măm ethnic group, you must indulge in the unique and exotic dish known as golden ant fish salad. Despite its intimidating name, once you taste it, you'll crave it again and again. Freshwater fish, about the size of three fingers, are cleaned, minced, and squeezed to remove excess moisture to reduce the fishy smell. Golden ants are selected from a nest of young ants, along with their eggs, which are crushed separately. Salt, green chili, and wild pepper are mixed with the fish and ants, along with a hint of roasted rice powder to enhance the fragrance. Wrapped in sung leaves, each bite offers a harmonious blend of the sweet taste of freshwater fish, the creamy texture of young ants, and the spicy kick of chili and pepper, creating an exquisite flavor.
Golden Ant Fish Salad
When in Sa Thầy district, Kon Tum, home to the Rơ Măm ethnic group, you must indulge in the unique and exotic dish known as golden ant fish salad. Despite its intimidating name, once you taste it, you'll crave it again and again. Freshwater fish, about the size of three fingers, are cleaned, minced, and squeezed to remove excess moisture to reduce the fishy smell. Golden ants are selected from a nest of young ants, along with their eggs, which are crushed separately. Salt, green chili, and wild pepper are mixed with the fish and ants, along with a hint of roasted rice powder to enhance the fragrance. Wrapped in sung leaves, each bite offers a harmonious blend of the sweet taste of freshwater fish, the creamy texture of young ants, and the spicy kick of chili and pepper, creating an exquisite flavor.
Black Piglet Roast with Wild Mango
The indigenous Black Piglet breed raised on a natural diet in the mountainous forests results in firm and highly nutritious meat. Even when fully grown, these pigs weigh less than 20 kg. After cleaning and gutting, the pig is marinated with spices sourced from the Black Mango forest. The whole piglet is roasted over charcoal until the skin becomes crispy and golden, releasing a fragrant aroma.
Black Piglet Roast with Wild Mango
The indigenous Black Piglet breed raised on a natural diet in the mountainous forests results in firm and highly nutritious meat. Even when fully grown, these pigs weigh less than 20 kg. After cleaning and gutting, the pig is marinated with spices sourced from the Black Mango forest. The whole piglet is roasted over charcoal until the skin becomes crispy and golden, releasing a fragrant aroma.
Mangrove catfish cooked with bamboo shoots
In the highlands of Mang Den, Kon Tum, there are many lakes with cool, refreshing water all year round. This makes it an ideal environment for raising and cultivating catfish. Mangrove catfish are a type of cartilaginous fish, with their entire skeletal system and head composed of cartilage. Their meat is white, firm, and has a rich, creamy taste with high nutritional value that is easily absorbed. Here, you can enjoy freshly caught mangrove catfish from the sparkling lakes. The catfish are cleaned, marinated with spices made from medicinal plants of the Mang Den forest, then steamed, braised, or grilled.
Source: Mytour
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Reference: Travel guide by Mytour
MytourOn May 30, 2017
